Is Christmas a Christian (or Catholic) Holiday?

[GLASNOST]

I'm kinda like Bart Ehrman, but different. I went searching for God and Jesus, and I ended up with nothing.

Me too. I went searching for God and Jesus and ended up an agnostic, but at least it isn't "nothing". It is something.

 

[JustAGuy1]

I'm kinda like Bart Ehrman, but different. I went searching for God and Jesus, and I ended up with nothing.

Ahhhh the World of Truth by Penelope.

 

[GLASNOST]

Ahhhh the World of Truth by Penelope.

So, you feel threatened by Penelope's revelation. Clearly, your own beliefs are weak.

 

[JustAGuy1]

So, you feel threatened by Penelope's revelation. Clearly, your own beliefs are weak.

Sure thing kid.

 

[GLASNOST]

Sure thing kid.

Kid? I'm probably old enough to be your grandfather. What is your problem with Penelope's own conviction? What does it have to do with you? Is she preaching atheism? Is she telling you that you should not believe in God or is it you who is preaching?

 

[JustAGuy1]

Kid? I'm probably old enough to be your grandfather. What is your problem with Penelope's own conviction? What does it have to do with you? Is she preaching atheism? Is she telling you that you should not believe in God or is it you who is preaching?

It seems we're cross... tough beans.
All she ever does is "preach" whether it's Religion, Politics or Medicine. and my interactions with her are based on a history.

 

[GLASNOST]

It seems we're cross...

No. You might be but not me. I'm no longer a member of the Christian church.

All she ever does is "preach" whether it's Religion, Politics or Medicine. and my interactions with her are based on a history.

I don't see it in these latest posts and I have no interest in tracking someone's position in every thread in this forum. I'm not a stalker, perhaps you are.

 

[DudleySmith]

Ahhhh the World of Truth by Penelope.

The funny part is Ehrman claims Jesus was a real person and so were the Apostles. These people never read anything and don't have the first clue even about those they cite.

 

[GLASNOST]

The funny part is Ehrman claims Jesus was a real person

Why is that "funny" or strange?

... and so were the Apostles ......

What do you mean by "and so"? Did he say that he believes there were apostles or are you saying that anyone believing Jesus was a real person automatically believes the apostles also existed?

 

[DudleySmith]

Why is that "funny" or strange?

What do you mean by "and so"? Did he say that he believes there were apostles or are you saying that anyone believing Jesus was a real person automatically believes the apostles also existed?

If you can't read English you shouldn't be making up strawmen, it just males you look desperate. If you don't why it's funny that sniveling atheists keep citing Ehrman it's your problem. The rest of us can just laugh at the clueless hypocrisy.

 

[Carl in Michigan]

I studied the bible. I am an atheist.

And you're one of those "non-existent evangelists" for the RELIGION of Atheism

 

[Penelope]

The funny part is Ehrman claims Jesus was a real person and so were the Apostles. These people never read anything and don't have the first clue even about those they cite.

there were 20 talking Jesus before the temple turned to toast,
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The works of Josephus refer to at least twenty different people with the name Jesus, and in chapter 9 of Book 20, Jesus the son of Damneus is thought by many to be distinct from the reference to "Jesus called Christ", who is mentioned along with the identification of James.[6] John Painter states that phrase "who was called Christ" is used by Josephus in this passage "by way of distinguishing him from others of the same name such as the high priest Jesus son of Damneus, or Jesus son of Gamaliel" both having been mentioned by Josephus in this context.[7]

Jesus son of Damneus - Wikipedia

Barabbas was a Jewish insurrectionist c. 30 C.E. whom Pontius Pilate freed at the Passover feast in Jerusalem, according to the Christian narrative of the Passion of Jesus. According to some sources, his full name was Yeshua bar Abba, (Jesus, the "son of the father").
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Barabbas#:~:text=Barabbas was a Jewish insurrectionist,son of the father").

Barabbas - New World Encyclopedia​

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Barabbas#:~:text=Barabbas was a Jewish insurrectionist,son of the father").
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Who was the real jesus??

 

[Penelope]

But a further portent was even more alarming. Four years before the war, when the city was enjoying profound peace and prosperity, there came to the feast at which it is the custom of all Jews to erect tabernacles to God, one Jesus, son of Ananias, a rude peasant, who suddenly began to cry out, "A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the sanctuary, a voice against the bridegroom and the bride, a voice against all the people." Day and night he went about all the alleys with this cry on his lips. Some of the leading citizens, incensed at these ill-omened words, arrested the fellow and severely chastised him. But he, without a word on his own behalf or for the private ear of those who smote him, only continued his cries as before. Thereupon, the magistrates, supposing, as was indeed the case, that the man was under some supernatural impulse, brought him before the Roman governor; there, although flayed to the bone with scourges, he neither sued for mercy nor shed a tear, but, merely introducing the most mournful of variations into his utterances, responded to each lashing with "Woe to Jerusalem!" When Albinus, the governor, asked him who and whence he was and why he uttered these cries, he answered him never a word, but unceasingly reiterated his dirge over the city, until Albinus pronounced him a maniac and let him go. During the whole period up to the outbreak of war he neither approached nor was seen talking to any of the citizens, but daily, like a prayer that he had conned, repeated his lament, "Woe to Jerusalem!" He neither cursed any of those who beat him from day to day, nor blessed those who offered him food: to all men that melancholy presage was his one reply. His cries were loudest at the festivals. So for seven years and five months he continued his wail, his voice never flagging nor his strength exhausted, until in the siege, having seen his presage verified, he found his rest. For, while going his round and shouting in piercing tones from the wall, "Woe once more to the city and to the people and to the temple," as he added a last word, "and woe to me also," a stone hurled from the ballista struck and killed him on the spot. So with those ominous words still upon his lips he passed away. – Book 6, Chapter 5, Section 3 of the historian Flavius Josephus' The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem [2]
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Is this one of them??

 

[GLASNOST]

If you can't read English you shouldn't be making up strawmen, it just males you look desperate. If you don't why it's funny that sniveling atheists keep citing Ehrman it's your problem. The rest of us can just laugh at the clueless hypocrisy.

The fact that English is not my first language is irrelevant. I am sure that I speak English better than anything you might claim to speak, including English I reckon. But the most important part of your response is that you are unwilling or incapable of defending your view on the subject of someone believing that Jesus existed and that you appear not to know or unwilling/unable to answer my question on Ehrman's thoughts on the apostles. Can it be that you sense a trap laid out for you? There is none.

 

[kjw47]

I find this piece interesting and tellworthy, because nowadays many denie the christian roots of Christmas they just equal it with ancient pagan roots, and consumerism. They want to erase the Christ out of Christmas. Many just say "But Christmas is pagan not Christian."

Read Catholic Roots of Christmas


Catholic Roots of Christmas
December 19, 2020
Christmas honors the pivotal day which altered all of history. Christians around the world celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Christ Jesus. On this day, God Incarnate departed the hidden tabernacle of Mary’s womb into the blissful embrace of His mother’s arms. And she, in turn, presented this unblemished child, this Divine Gift, to all the world that we might adore Him as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

As with any child’s arrival, there are many preparations to be made before welcoming the new family member; an expecting family gathers bathing items, blankets, and a collection of cozy outfits. Faithful members of the Catholic Christian family prepare for Christ’s coming by observing the season of Advent.

Advent is a time of joyful anticipation in which the faithful prepare their hearts for the most special arrival of the Divine Infant. Formally introduced by the Council of Tours in 567 AD, the Advent season begins four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. This period provides a precursor to the special holy day when the Light of the World shines amidst the darkness, the Sign of Hope dispels all despair.

One Catholic tradition orienting believers toward Christ’s coming is the Nativity Scene. This practice harkens back to Medieval times when in 1223, St. Francis of Assisi directed a live nativity scene as a form of public remembrance honoring Christ’s birth. St. Francis wanted to bring the Gospels to life, assigning parts for Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others so that in witnessing this reenactment, all people would learn the extraordinary story of God’s love for mankind. Often the nativity creche remains empty until Christmas Eve as a reminder that the faithful eagerly await the Christ child. And when the Divine Infant arrives, how much greater is the joy during the Christmas vigil when Baby Jesus joins the Holy Family and all humanity!

When the faithful prepare their hearts properly, the blessings of Christmas may be appreciated in full. “We Christians are called to safeguard and spread the joy of waiting,” Pope Francis declared in a Vatican address. Additionally, much as the faithful await Christ’s birth in remembrance of the first Christmas, the Catholic liturgical readings point the faithful toward awaiting Christ’s ultimate return upon Judgement Day.

According to Catholic tradition, the rejoicing of Christ’s coming lasts considerably longer than one great day. Rather, it stretches from the Christmas vigil Mass until the Feast of the Epiphany, sometimes called Three Kings’ Day.

Why did the Church choose to celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25? The most direct answer is that according to the Roman calendar, this day marked the winter solstice. Saint Augustine explained the significance of this day in remembering Christ’s coming, writing, “on the day which is the shortest in our earthly reckoning and from which subsequent days begin to increase in length. He, therefore, who bent low and lifted us up chose the shortest day, yet the one whence light begins to increase.”

The most excellent Catholic tradition of celebrating Christmas as a family is attending Holy Mass together. Even young adults who may have strayed from observing other tenets of their Catholic faith will often return to Mass with their families in order to observe the sacred Feast of the Nativity.

Christmas is a rare time when the Mass readings differ according to the order in which the Mass is offered. There are four distinct Christmas Masses. The Vigil Mass is offered at the start of Christmas Eve. The Mass of the angels is a popular celebration, offered at midnight. The Dawn Mass is called the Mass of the Shepherds; it is offered early morning. Finally, on Christmas Day, the priest offers the Mass of the Divine Word.

The Christmas octave is punctuated with a feast that originally honored Christ’s circumcision. In present times, the Catholic Church commemorates the first day of the year as the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. This holy day respects Mary’s unique human privilege of forming Christ physically and spiritually before releasing Him into the world to fulfill His divine salvific work.

The end of the Christmas season points toward this extraordinary mission for which God entered the world. According to Catholic tradition, the Magi, called the Three Kings, spent 12 days following a star. The brilliant star led them to Bethlehem, where Jesus had just been born. The Wise Men—Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar—presented three symbolic gifts to the Holy Family for their newborn son. The kings presented to the Divine Child gold to honor His kingship, frankincense to honor His priesthood, and myrrh to honor His humanity.

Many families around the world present gifts to one another either in celebration of Christmas Day or in commemoration of the Three Kings. The faithful fulfill the Christmas spirit when offering their own hearts to the Divine Messiah who humbled Himself to enter the world as a small child.

Article written by Myriah C. Boudreaux for Christian Catholic Media

Myriah C. Boudreaux graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a BA in Psychology. Soon after, she left her native Southern California home to marry a FUS alumnus, start a family, settle in Bayou Country with her Cajun husband, and begin a career homeschooling their ever-growing family. With seven children ranging from ages 21 – 2, her practical understanding of Heavenly Father's patience, love, and mercy is continually expanding.

God had no mother. The encyclopedias are filled with info regarding the additives of pagan false god worship things to this holiday and the easter holiday. Gods word is clear--One cannot partake off his table and the table of demons. 1Corinthians 10:21-- as well unscramble the name santa one gets satan, who is stealing 98% of the holiday away from Jesus.

They named easter after a false God-Astarte=Ishtar-pronounced-easter.

 

[GLASNOST]

God had no mother.

Don't be stupid. Of course, god had a mother. Do you think he was created by some sort of "Big Bang"?

The encyclopedias are filled with info regarding the additives of pagan false god worship things.....

The new testament is filled with info regarding the additives of false Messiah worship things ...

 

[Leviticus]

It was originally a Roman holiday. Christmas is based on Saturnalia. And early celebrations were the same as those Pagan Romans held (to the point that the church banned Christmas celebrations for a number of years). When Rome converted to Christianity under Constantine, they promised Romans that they could still celebrate certain festvals. So they tacked Jesus onto those festivals. 90% of Christmas traditions, everything from decororating trees to the Yule log are boroowed from Paganism.

Santa Clause is the only remotely Christian tradition, since he's based on a Catholic Saint, but even he was blended with Pagan myths.

 

[GLASNOST]

We're all heathens! It's just as well to admit it and go to bed.

 

[kjw47]

Don't be stupid. Of course, god had a mother. Do you think he was created by some sort of "Big Bang"?

The new testament is filled with info regarding the additives of false Messiah worship things ...

God always was and always will be. Jesus was the Messiah.

 

[GLASNOST]

God always was and always will be.

God might be dead and he has no heir to the throne.

Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus WAS NOT the messiah. He didn't fulfil the requirements so all of that hocus-pocus and superstition about him is fantasy, pure fantasy, and nothing but fantasy. It can be summed up very easily: Christians are Jews who have no faith. It's as simple as that.